Neuroscience

The major in Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with an appreciation of diverse approaches to understanding the function of nervous systems, as well as the ability to conduct investigations within a particular subfield of interest.  The Neuroscience website has more detailed information about the neuroscience major. Students majoring in Neuroscience complete:

• A common core program,
• A sequence of four electives determined in consultation with an adviser in Neuroscience, and
• A one- or two-semester thesis on a topic related to the four-course sequence.

The major provides good preparation for graduate work in biology, neuroscience, and a variety of other programs including medical school or other graduate health professions programs.  Admission to particular advanced degree programs may require additional course work.

Keck Science Department Neuroscience Major

The major in Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary program of 16 courses designed to provide students with an appreciation of diverse approaches to understanding the function of nervous systems, as well as the ability to conduct investigations within a particular subfield of interest.  Students majoring in Neuroscience complete:

1. A common core: Includes seven courses and three electives.
2. A sequence of four electives determined in consultation with an adviser in Neuroscience, and
3. A two-semester or one-semester thesis on a topic related to the four course elective specializations. Students who choose the one-semester thesis option are required to take 5 course electives.

The major provides good preparation for graduate work in biology, neuroscience, and a variety of other programs including medical school or other graduate health professions programs.  Admission to particular advanced degree programs may require additional course work. All courses for the neuroscience major must be taken as a letter grade

1. Common Core (7 courses)

• Introductory Biology (two semesters: Biology 43L-44L KS or equivalent).
• Basic Principles of Chemistry (two semesters: Chemistry 14L-15L KS).
• Foundations of Neuroscience (Neuro 95 JT) or equivalent.
• Neuroscience 2*: Systems Neuroscience: Neuroscience 149 KS.
• Neuroscience 1*: Cellular Molecular Neuroscience: Neuroscience 148L KS.

*NEUR 095 is a prerequisite for NEUR 148L KS and NEUR 149 KS

2. Common Core Electives (3 courses): Choose any three courses (0.5 credit labs do not count):

• General Physics: Physics 30L KS, 31L KS, 33 KS or 34KS. Only one semester of physics counts.
• Mathematics: Math 31 (Calculus II) or Calculus IIS PO or an approved equivalent course.
• Statistics: Biology 175 KS, Psychology 91 PZ, 103 SC or 109 CM or approved equivalent course.
• Computer science: Biology 133L KS, CS 5 (Harvey Mudd), MATH042 SC, MATH043 SC, or an approved equivalent course.
• Research Methods: Psychology 92 PZ, 104/104L SC, 110/111L CM or an approved equivalent course.

3. Elective course specialization (4-5 courses depending on thesis):

A coherent grouping of four elective courses to be determined in consultation with an advisor in Neuroscience. Areas in which a student may elect to specialize include, but are not limited to:

• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
• Systems Neuroscience
• Clinical Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Computational Neuroscience
• Motor Control
• Neuropharmacology
• Philosophy of Neuroscience
• Developmental Neuroscience

The student may also self-design an elective course specialization with the approval oftheir academic advisor.  All elective specializations must include at least one upper division course in Neuroscience.  Students studying abroad are allowed to use a maximum of two courses towards their elective course specialization. Abroad courses used for the major must be approved by the Neuroscience coordinator.

4. Senior Thesis (1 or 2 courses)

A. two-semester or one-semester senior thesis on a topic related to the student’s elective course specialization.

• Neuroscience 188L Senior Research in Neuroscience
• Neuroscience 190L, Senior Thesis in Neuroscience
• Neuroscience 191L* One Semester Senior Thesis

*Students who choose the one-semester thesis option are required to take 5 course electives for the elective course specialization.

Please visit our website at “website link” for more information on the neuroscience programs at the Claremont Colleges.

Major Requirements

Claremont McKenna College

Pitzer College

Scripps College

Keck Science Common Learning Outcomes

Students completing a major in the Keck Science Department should demonstrate the ability to:

1. Use foundational principles to analyze problems in nature.
2. Develop hypotheses and test them using quantitative techniques.
3. Articulate applications of science in the modern world.
4. Effectively communicate scientific concepts both verbally and in writing.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Neuroscience major of the Keck Science Department aims to provide students with skills and knowledge to prepare them to effectively engage and evaluate issues and innovations in neuroscience. In particular, the program prepares students for graduate programs in Neuroscience and contributes towards the preparation for professional programs such biotechnology and medicine.

A Neuroscience Major should be able to:

1. Understand the structure and function of the nervous system at various levels of organization.
2. Understand a number of research techniques in neuroscience and gain training in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of various methods.
3. Design experiments, analyze data and think critically.
4. Critically evaluate published scientific literature.